Coupling for connecting-rods.



No. 703,925. Patented iuly l, I902.

J. HOBSLEY.

COUPLING FOR CONNECTING RODS.

[Application filed Jan. 6, 1902..)'

\ (No Model.)

NITED STATES ATENT FFICE.

JAMES I-IORSLEY, OF GLADE MILLS, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR'OF ONE- HALFTO JOHN B. GREGORY, OF GLADE MILLS, PENNSYLVANIA.

COUPLING FOR CONNECTING-RODS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 703,925, dated July 1,1902.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES HORSLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Glade Mills, in the county of Butler and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Couplings for Connecting-Rods, of which the followingisaspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, forming part of thi specification, in which- .Figure lis a partial perspective view of a section and portions of adjacent connected sections of connecting-rod "coupled together by my improved coupling and support. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partially broken away, of the invention. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken onthe line III III of Fig.

2, showing the abutting ends of the connecting-rod sections, the center wedge, and the surrounding shell. Fig. i is a vertical section indicated by the line IV IV of Fig. 2 and showingthe swinging trestle-support. Fig. 5 is a partial edge view of the central wedge and support. Fig. 6 is a detail view of one end of one of the connecting-rod sections.

My invention relates to means for joining the meeting ends of connecting-rods, such as are used in shackle-work, for the purpose of transmitting reciprocating power or for any other purpose wherein long connectingrods are used composed of meeting sections or wherever such connection is desirable; and it consists of a sleeve or shell adapted to receive and inclose the meeting ends of adjoining sections and of a central wedge adapted to be forced down through longitudinal openings in the shell and through slits in the connecting-rod ends, whereby the sides are forced apart and outwardly against the inner sides of the shell.

Referring to the drawings, 2 represents a single section of connecting-rod, usually of wood,a considerable number of which sections are connected together and supported by a swinging support, so that the connecting-rod will transmitreciprocating motion from any source of power to a point of utilization at a considerable distance therefrom. Heretofore the sections of connecting-rod have been jointed by iron bands or straps Application filed January 6, 1902. Serial No. 88,541. (No model.)

bolted to them, such straps being supported on top of stilts or trestles ofvarious lengths resting upon the ground and free to swing backwardly and forwardly at their upper portion in conformity with the movement of the connecting-rods. Such construction is, however, objectionable, for the .reason that the bolts frequently become loose or wear away and the apparatus requires constant repair and renewal.

My invention is designed for the purpose of overcoming such objections, and I have provided a cylindrical shell or sleeve 3, the middle interior portion ofwhich is larger in diameter than the ends. At each end, as shown, there is suflicient opening forwidening out the previously-divided terminals 2 2, provided by a central slit 4. The inner faces of the shell 3 are corrugated in any suitable manner, as indicated at 5, which corrugations may be in the form of rings adapted to be embedded in the sides of the connectingrods when the same" are forced outwardly, thereby providing a very firm engagement between the rods and the shell and rendering these parts practically inseparable. As will be seen, the edges of such rings are sharpened by recessing the metal back from the edge, thus forming V-shaped rings adapted to bite into the rods. In the upper and lower sides of the shell are provided longitudinal slots 6 of a size and shape adapted to receive the wedge 7, which is driven down through these openings, dividing the partially-severed ends 2' of the rod 2 and forcing them outwardly against the inner sides of the shell, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The wedge 7 is preferably tapered longitudinally, as shown, toward each vertical edge,

approximating the taper of the shell on its Au upward extension 11, preferably inte- I00 gral with the wedge, although it may as well be made separable, terminating in an eye 12,

by which the whole structure as thus connected may be supported upon a bolt 13, located in the top of a trestle 14, of any suitable design, supported upon the ground and adapted to freely swing forward and back in accordance with the movement of the connecting-rod. The wedge is also provided with lateral flanges 15 at its upper portion, adapted to project outwardly over the shell around the sides and ends of the slot, so as to prevent entrance of moisture, thus obviating the injurious effects of the weather. These flanges are not absolutely necessary, and any other suitable protecting device may be substituted for them-as, for instance, an apron of sheet metal, canvas, leather, or other suitable material.

When the sections of the connecting-rod are coupled together by my improved device and suspended upon the tilting trestle, they will continue to operate and to maintain the sec tions connected without any further attention and will be found to provide a convenient, useful, and durable means for the purpose in view. 1

It will be understood that various changes or modifications may be made in the proportions, construction, design, or other details of the invention without departing therefrom, and I desire to include all such as within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is- 1. A device for connecting sections of rods consisting of a tubular shell, and a wedge adapted to he passed therethrough provided with overlapping flanges.

2. A device for connecting sections of rods consisting of a tubular shell provided with intcrior corrugations, and a double-sided wedge provided with vertical ribs adapted to be inserted through the shell provided with an upwardly-extending support and means for securing the wedge in position.

3. A device for connecting sections of rods consisting of a tubular shell and a wedge adapted to be inserted therethrough, provided with vertical ribs and an upwardly-extending support, and means for securing the wedge in position.

' 4;. A device for connecting sections of rods consisting of a tubular shell having an interior maximum cross-area at its middle portion and diminishing toward the ends, provided with longitudinal upper and lower wedge-openings, and a wed ge adapted to pass through such openings provided with an upwardly-extending pivotal support, and means for securing the wedge in' position.

5. A device for connecting sections of rods consisting of a tubular interiorly-corrugated shell having an interior maximum cross-area at its middle portion and diminishing toward the ends, provided with longitudinal upper and lower wedge openings, and a wedge adapted to pass through such openings provided with an upwardly-extending pivoted support and means for securing the wedge in position.

6. The combination, with the slotted ends of a connecting-rod, of a surrounding tubular shell having an internal middle space to admit of the separation of the divided ends diminishing in area toward each end and pro vided with an upper and lower longitudinal wedge-opening, and a Wedge extending through such opening and between the divided ends, with means for supporting the Wedge and securing it in position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence'of two witnesses.

JAMES HORSLEY.

Witnesses:

M. O. EKAS, R. O. PROCTOR. 

